Seventh took on eighth on Saturday night as North Melbourne battled the Bulldogs, but it was the Dogs who prevailed in a fierce contest.
There was plenty of push and shove throughout the evening and it didn’t go unnoticed by those covering the clash.
Herald Sun
“The niggle started before the opening bounce when Michael Firrito singled out Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli in a renewal of hostilities between the clubs.” – Leo Schlink.
Post-match, Brad Scott denied Marcus Bontempelli was a target for his post-match comments made in Round 6, rather suggesting they were out to stop the Dogs’ “best midfielder”.
AFL.com.au
“Roos veteran (Firrito) tangled with Bontempelli before the opening bounce, wrestling the star pup and exchanging words, and the Roos took every chance to bump and unsettle the 20-year-old. It set the scene for another tense encounter, with spotfires breaking out all match.” – Travis King
In a blow for North, forward Ben Brown went down with injury in the second quarter and did not return, and from there, the Kangaroos’ task became a lot harder.
Herald Sun
“North, which lost key forward Ben Brown with a knee injury in the second term and struggled badly to find alternative scoring options, dominated the disposal count but failed to match Bulldogs’ effectiveness.” – Leo Schlink
The Age
“Once it emerged Brown was done for the evening for the Roos, his side looked a far tamer proposition in attack from that moment.” – Rohan Connolly
AAP
“North went almost an hour without a goal after Brown departed. Already missing forward Jarrad Waite, the Kangaroos looked toothless when the mop-haired Tasmanian went down.” – Ben McKay
Despite the loss, there were still some impressive performances from those in royal blue and white.
AFL.com.au
“Jamie Macmillan (30 possessions) was one of North's best players in his 100th game, Daniel Wells (26 and one goal) tried more than anyone to break through the Dogs' defences and Todd Goldstein (19 possessions, 35 hit-outs and one goal) comfortably won his ruck contest against Jordan Roughead.” – Nick Bowen
While both teams have been able to post high scores throughout 2016 , the Round 20 clash was eerily similar to the Round 6 Friday night blockbuster, in which North took home the four points in a low-scoring battle.
The Age
“In an almost mirror image of that first clash, the Bulldogs won with exactly the same score North had posted first time around, allowing the Roos just two more points than they themselves had kicked in defeat in round six.” – Rohan Connolly
AFL.com.au
“Last time they faced the Roos in round six, the Dogs managed just six goals in a hard-fought 16-point defeat, but this time roles were reversed as they strangled the life out of North, 9.7 to 7.5.” – Travis King
North will now prepare for its first match on the MCG for 2016, taking on Hawthorn, who lost for the first time since Round 9.
The run home sees North take on three of the current top four sides, but the club is embracing the challenge.
AAP
“Given what's up next the Kangaroos would want to have their physios working overtime. They face reigning premiers Hawthorn at the MCG next weekend, second-placed Sydney in Hobart and then fourth-placed GWS Giants at Etihad in round 23.” – Ben McKay
AFL.com.au
“The Roos play Hawthorn at the MCG next Saturday. North and the Hawks have played at the MCG just three times since 2006, with the reigning premiers winning the most recent clash in 2013.” – Nick Bowen
